Traveling by air has become a mainstay for both business and leisure travelers, with many opting for flights as their primary mode of transport across vast distances. North America, home to a diverse range of airlines, offers a plethora of options catering to different preferences and needs. Understanding the policies of major airlines, especially regarding carry-on and personal item sizes, is crucial for a hassle-free journey.
Here's a guide to the major airlines in North America and their individual policies on carry-on and personal items, ensuring you're well-prepared for your next adventure in the skies. While the bulk of the requirements are the same cross airlines there are some subtle differences that should be noted. We've looked only at the Economy class fares for this post but in general the airlines that normally charge for a carry-on bag will not do so if you have upgraded your class. Even if an airlines does not charge for a bag (either carry-on or checked) a higher class of fare will often increase your baggage allowances. If you're traveling with a pet, the pet carrier is counted as either your personal item or carry-on. You will also be subject to additional fees for pet travel. To learn more about traveling with a furry family member check out our related post.
1. American Airlines
Carry-On Allowance: American Airlines permits one carry-on bag and one personal item. The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels.
Personal Item: Your personal item should fit under the seat in front of you, with dimensions not exceeding 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
Items that do not count as a personal item or carry on include:
Diaper bags (1 per child)
Breast pump
Small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk
Child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices
2. Delta Air Lines
Carry-On Allowance: Delta allows passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board at no extra charge. The carry-on must be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Personal Item: There's no specific size provided for personal items, but they must fit under the seat in front of you. Items that are considered personal items are those such as a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag or diaper bag.
Effectively it includes any item of similar or smaller size to those listed
The following items are free to carry on the flight, in addition to your usual carry-on items:
A jacket and/or umbrella
Food or drink purchased past the security checkpoint
Duty-free merchandise
Special items like strollers, wheelchairs, child safety seats or assistive devices, like crutches
3. United Airlines
Carry-On Allowance: United's carry-on policy allows for one carry-on bag measuring 22 x 14 x 9 inches or less.
Personal Item: A personal item like a shoulder bag, purse, laptop bag, or other small item should not exceed 17 x 10 x 9 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you.
You can bring a few items in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item for free.
Jacket or coat
Umbrella
Books/Magazines
Food/water or other such items purchased in the airport (alcohol excluded)
Mobility devices, including wheelchairs, canes, and crutches
A car seat, child safety harness or stroller
A diaper bag and breast pump (even if you’re not traveling with your child)
iPad, IPhones, cameras
4. Southwest Airlines
Carry-On Allowance: Southwest Airlines is more generous, allowing two free checked bags, one carry-on bag, and one personal item. The carry-on bag dimensions must not exceed 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
Personal Item: Personal items such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag must fit under the seat in front of you, though specific dimensions are not provided.
Southwest does not specifically identify any items (such as diaper bags, breast pumps etc.) that are exempt from being considered a carry-on so be sure to check ahead of time if any of these necessities will be taken with you. In all likelihood they will be exempted similar to the other airlines.
5. Air Canada
Carry-On Allowance: Air Canada permits one standard article (carry-on) and one personal item. The carry-on should not exceed dimensions of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm). Personal Item: The personal item can include a laptop bag, backpack, or other small item, provided it fits under the seat in front of you, with maximum dimensions of 17 x 13 x 6 inches (43 x 33 x 16 cm).
Air Canada also states there are several items that can be brought with you in addition to your carry-on and personal item:
Coat or other outer garment
Small purse measuring no more than 25cm x 30cm x 14cm (10in x 12in x 5.5 in)
Larger purses will be considered your personal item
Infant care items (e.g. diaper bag)
Stroller - collapsed diameter can’t exceed 25.5 cm (10 in) and length can’t exceed 92 cm (36 in). Alert the check-in counter that you are traveling with one.
Child restraint device (if a seat has been purchased for your child)
Snacks or food to eat on board:
All food must be wrapped or in a container.
Be aware of international regulations that may prohibit items such as fresh produce from being taken across borders.
6. Alaska Airlines
Carry-On Allowance: Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag plus one personal item. The carry-on bag's dimensions must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles.
Personal Item: Although specific dimensions for personal items are not provided, items like a purse, laptop bag, or a small backpack that fit under the seat in front of you are acceptable.
The following items may be brought onboard without counting towards the carry-on limit:
Coats, hats, umbrellas (compact size only)
A pillow for personal use
Food for immediate consumption
Reasonable amount of reading material
FAA approved child/infant restraint seats to be occupied by a child, strollers (based on space availability; space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant).
Service Animals, that are properly documented.
Mobility/Medical assistive devices such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, approved portable oxygen concentrators (POC), breast pump, etc.
Prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them (for example: syringes, auto- injections) as long as they comply with applicable safety, security, and hazardous materials rules.
7. Jet Blue
Carry-On Allowance: Passengers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board at no extra charge. The carry-on must be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Personal Item: There's no specific size provided for personal items, but they must fit under the seat in front of you.
In addition to one carry-on bag and one personal item, FAA/TSA regulations allow the following items, which do not count towards the carry-on limit:
Assistive devices
Duty-free items in a reasonable and limited amount
One diaper bag for lap infants
Special items (coat, umbrella, infant car seat, etc.)
8. WestJet
Carry-On Allowance: Passengers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board at no extra charge. The carry-on must be no larger than 53 cm x 23 cm x 38 cm (21 in. x 9 in. x 15 in.).
Personal Item: Personal item may not exceed 41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm (16 in. x 6 in. x 13 in.).
In addition to the carry-on and personal items the following may be brought aboard:
A diaper bag
An approved restraint system (car seat for use in a seat that has been purchased)
Cremated remains (all cremation containers will be X-rayed. Documentation from a funeral home does not provide an exemption to the screening requirement)
Duty free merchandise
Duty-free alcohol purchased after security is allowed as carry-on baggage on direct flights operated by WestJet aircraft.
Food items for onboard consumption; in disposable packages and carried on your person or in your carry-on
Fragile items such as Delicate scientific instruments, Human organs for transplant
Medical devices
Medication
Mobility devices
Personal clothing items/outerwear
Personal electronic devices
Battery-powered transmitting portable electronic devices may be taken in carry-on baggage, however because they transmit a signal, they must be set in "Airplane mode"
9. Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-On Allowance: Passengers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board at no extra charge. The carry-on must be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Personal Item: There's no specific size provided for personal items, but they must fit under the seat in front of you.
Hawaiian Airlines also does not specifically identify any items (such as diaper bags, breast pumps etc.) that are exempt from being considered a carry-on so be sure to check ahead of time if any of these necessities will be taken with you. In all likelihood they will be exempted similar to the other airlines.
10. Frontier
Carry-On Allowance: Passengers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board at no extra charge. The carry-on must be no larger than 24 x 16 x 10 inches and may not weigh more than 35 pounds.
Personal Item: The personal item must be at most 14 x 18 x 8.
Frontier charges for both carry-on luggage and checked bags. It is generally cheaper to pay for a checked bag than a carry-on so it is better to do that and try to take only the essentials in your personal item. It is also MUCH cheaper to pay for the carry-on or checked bag at time of booking than at the airport. If you have measured your personal item incorrectly and are forced to check it than you will be dinged for $99 for the bag and up to an additional $25 if it requires an agent assisted transaction, which it would in this case as you'd need bag tags.
If flying Frontier, you'd best plan well ahead and get out that tape measure!
Allegiant
Carry-on Bag: You can purchase one carry-on bag per passenger Your one Carry-on Bag (such as a roll-aboard or garment bag) must fit in the overhead bin. Prices are dependent on distance traveled and can range from $10.00 to $75.00. Maximum size is 10 x 16 x 22 inches (25cm x 40cm x 55cm).
Personal Item: Every passenger can bring one free personal item The Item (like a purse, briefcase, or a small backpack) must be stored completely underneath the seat in front of you. Maximum dimensions are 8 x 14 x 18 inches (20cm x 35cm x 45cm).
And not to snub our international flyers, here are some of the major European airlines.
Air France
Carry-on Bag: 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm (21.65 x 13.8 x 9.9 inches).
Personal Item: Must not exceed 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm (15.75 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches).
In the Economy or Premium Economy cabins, your carry-on and personal items can weigh up to 12 kg (26.4 lb.) in total and yes they will weigh it! This bumps up to 18 kg (40 lb.) if you’re flying in the Business or La Première cabins. Exceed these limits at your own risk.
Certain items will not be considered as a carry-on luggage or personal item. These are items such as:
Jacket/sweater
Duty-free purchases
Umbrella (compact)
Diaper bags, car seats, foldable strollers, or mobility equipment (collapsible wheelchair or crutches)
Air France also makes a note on the quality of the items which should be taken into account. Their website states "Soft plastic bags and packaging made with rudimentary means (e.g., household stretch film) are not accepted. Such packaging damages airport facilities and disrupts baggage transit. Any baggage that is visibly damaged, poorly packed, or not in compliance will be refused." I'm not entirely sure how to interpret that one. I can understand them not wanting to have plastic bags go through the baggage handling but I don't know why it matters for a carried item. Anyhow, play it safe and take a proper bag.
Lufthansa
Carry-on Bag: 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (21.65 x 15.75 x 9.05 inches) the weight of which cannot exceed 8 kg (17.6 lb.)
Personal Item: Personal items such as a laptop bag or handbag are allowed as long as it does not exceed 40 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm (15.75 in. x 11.8 in. x 5.9 in.)
Lufthansa gets a little convoluted when it comes to carry-on and checked baggage allowances. They offer a baggage calculator to help you figure out what you can bring based on the route and class you are flying.
Lufthansa does check during boarding whether the carry-on baggage rules are being adhered to. Carry-on baggage that does not comply will be taken at the gate and loaded into the cargo hold for a fee. The fees for this are significantly higher at the gate than in the check-in area.
Items that are not considered as a carry-on luggage or personal items:
Jacket/sweater
Child car seat or carry cot
Foldable strollers
Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and orthopedic aids
British Airways
Carry-on Bag: 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches)
Personal Item: 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches).
British Airways indicates that this baggage allowance is applicable to every traveler over the age of 2. That being said children aged 2-11 get to check their essential extras, such as a stroller and car seat even if they are flying on a basic economy that would otherwise not permit checked bags. These items will be checked into the hold unless the child has their own seat on the plane in which case a car seat may be placed on the plane seat. If traveling with an infant you will also have an allowance of one extra bag for the must-haves they need when traveling.
It is important to note that duty-free purchases count towards the hand baggage allowance, so you will need to store them inside your bag before boarding your flight. If these purchases out you over your allowance then you will be required to check something into the hold at a fee.
It’s free to take wheelchairs, mobility aids and related equipment if it's for your personal use and within their size limits. Medical supplies that you need to have with you should be placed in your personal item as opposed to the carry-on since you may be required to put the carry-on into the hold if the flight is full.
Turkish Airlines
Carry-on Bag: 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (21.65 in. x 15.75 in. x 9.05 in.) no heavier than 8 kg.
Personal Item: Not specifically mentioned, but a small personal item is generally allowed as long as it is under 4 kg in weight.
Turkish Airlines has quite a range of items that are allowed only as hand baggage or otherwise. It is best to view their list to make sure you put the items in the correct place.
Other notes:
If you are traveling with an infant, you can carry as much liquid or solid baby food as is required for your baby’s needs during the flight.
You can carry respiratory devices apparatus in the cabin.
Suit bags can be carried as cabin baggage if they meet certain dimensions. These dimensions are determined as (114x60x11cm).
You can carry your solid and liquid medicines in your cabin baggage if they are in the original packaging and there is a doctor's report stating that you should take the medicine with you.
Finnair
Carry-on Bag: 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (21.65 x 15.75 x 9.05 inches)
Personal Item: 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches)
The combined weight of both cannot exceed 8 kg (17.6 lb.). You may bring necessary assistive devices or mobility aids, such as personal oxygen concentrators (POC), apnea breathing devices (CPAP), canes or elbow crutches, into the cabin with you in addition to the carry-on baggage allowance included in your ticket.
Children and infants are able to bring a car seat and stroller but it is to be checked into the hold and at no cost even if the fare purchased does not include a checked bag. Infants without a seat do not have a carry-on allowance but you will be allowed to bring a small bag for them with their food and essentials needed for the flight.
Similar to British Airways, any items you purchase at the airport, including duty-free products, are counted as part of your carry-on baggage allowance. If you exceed your allowances you will be charged a €60 fee to place a bag in the aircraft hold.
Travel Tips for Carry-Ons and Personal Items
Be sure to consider things that are limited for your safety. Most airlines restrict the size of containers with liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes. Plan ahead of time and place larger liquid items in your checked luggage. You should be aware of items that are prohibited to bring with you for both carry-on and checked luggage. You can view the full list of items on the TSA website here.
Liquids: Limit liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes items to a maximum of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Place all items in one single quart-size, zip-top bag of clear plastic. Any liquids that are considered medication, breast milk, formula, etc. should not be put with this bag and should be presented separately to the TSA or similar airport security.
Devices: Mobile phones and tablets, power banks, e-cigarettes, or other items that contain batteries or rechargeable batteries must be in your carry-on and may not be placed in checked baggage. Make sure these devices are charged! You might be asked to turn them on by various airlines or security check points.
Packing: Pack wisely to make the most of your carry-on and personal item allowance. Use space-saving techniques and consider the essentials to avoid checking in extra bags.
Medication: You should always put any medications you require into your personal item or carry-on. Never risk checking it and having it get misplaced.
Check Airline Policies: Always verify the specific airline's policies before flying, as rules can change. What applies for one airline may not apply for another.
Arrive Early: Especially for flights where overhead bin space is at a premium, arriving early can ensure you have space for your carry-on. Consider upgrading to comfort plus or economy plus etc. to get an earlier boarding position if you are concerned that you may not be able to bring your carry-on aboard.
Keep the Essentials: Anything that you must have on the plane (laptops, medication, neck pillow) make sure that you have those items in your personal item just in case you are required to check the carry-on plane side.
Invest in Luggage: Consider investing in luggage that is specifically designed to meet airline size restrictions for carry-ons and personal items. We have listed a couple of our favorites below.
Summary
Being well-informed and prepared will not only save you time but also ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey. Whether you're jetting off on a quick business trip or embarking on a grand adventure, understanding these policies is the first step to a hassle-free flight.
Happy Travels!
Il Digestivo
Looking for a new carry-on or personal item? Maximize what you can bring aboard to avoid checking luggage (and their associated fees!) for short trips. These two items make a great combination of a carry-on and a personal sized item. I recently used both to go for a weeklong trip to a cold climate destination and even with winter gear I had room for it all without checking a bag. This was a double benefit since one of my connecting flights got delayed by 8 hours and I was able to jump on stand-by for an earlier flight since I had not checked a bag.
VGCUB Carry-on Backpack
This fantastic bag has been taking TikTok by storm with it functionality. It features numerous compartments to store shoes, laptops, phones, toiletry kits, and much more. There is a wet dry compartment too that makes this bag good for gym clothes as well. The dimensions put this backpack as a personal item on the majority of flights but it makes a great standalone carry-on if you don't want to bring a roller style. Available in over numerous colors, these bags range in price from $30 - $40 depending on size and color selected.
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Wheels
For those who prefer the hard shell type carry-on, this affordable Samsonite bag is the way to go. 21" Spinner Luggage maximizes your packing power and meets most carry-on size restrictions for those traveling domestically and looking to stay light. Combined with the above bag as your personal item you'll be able to pack for a weeklong trip without any need for a checked bag.
Packing Dimensions: 19.5" x 14.5" x 10.0", Overall Dimensions: 21.25" x 15.25" x 10.0", 6.5 lbs.
Apple AirTags 4 pack
If you do need to check a bag, make sure you can track it to ensure it arrives. Apples AirTags are a must have item for every traveler. Get a four pack so you can put one in each of the family member's bags. Or put one in the car so you can find where you parked!
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